weaver



v(No Model.) r msheens-sneet 1.

W.` WEAVER.

. Loon/I. N0.. 576.174.

Patented Peb.. 2, 1897..

(No Model.) r 1o sheets-#sheet 2.

W. WEAVER.

r Loom.

No. 5mm/4. Patented Peb. 2, 41897.-

Ff'c E- (No Mogel.) 1o lsheet-.4-sheei; a1.

W. vi/'B'M-J'R.l

i LooM. No. 576,174, Patented Feb. l2, 1897.I

' j.- I J" XM I f "Y fr? z l. rim? l from" (No Modelf) 10 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. WEAVER.

LOOM. No. 576,174. Patesnted Feb g, 1897.

Y2 ,a e @e s *me Nonms Tens co. PHcYoAumo wAsnmuwN. n4 c,

(No Model.) i 10 Sheets-Sheet 5.

W. WEAVER. LOOM.

N0' 576,174. Patented Feb. 2, 1897.

mmuunnuy -f numuml' I mll L 1 mum:

(No Model.) 10 'Sheets-Sheet 6.

W. WEAVER'. LOOM.

No. 576,174. l Patented. Feb. 2, 1897.

l w vill/'aw Weaver rm: Nonms PETER: coA worum-mo.. wAsHmnToN, o, c.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 7.

W. WEAVER.

l t LOOM. No. 576,174. Patented Peb. 2, 1897."

i F1 1U- L ,Q f7 se 0 m 97 1 L 92/ 3 7 ,es Q M 7^ fs 53 7 J3; I Hum,

WIIWESSES [2l/VENTO@ g W wefwr' "by mm r i l lfzlorueym (No Model.) 10 lShets--Sheet 8.

W. WEAVER.

LOOM.

No. 576,174. Patented Feb. 2, 1897.

E'ELLE- J IH f .2o Il l 30 9 44A' 73 7J 7? Q I www, www by 7 au.

(No Model.) Y ldsheet-,sv-s-heet 9.

W. WEAVER.

I LOOM.

No. 576,174.. l 'Patented Peb. 2, 1897...

(Hamden) l i 1o sheets-sheen 1o.

W.. WEAVER.

LOM.

No. 576,174. Pa'tentedjebqz, 1897i.'

fa m a /jlzjmss's [Jvwwfofz wem/ciw /vw Homey TN: Nonms Pzvzncm rnotaumo.. wnsHmsToN, D. c.

Nite STATES ATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM WEAVER, OF NORWALK, CONNECTICUT.

LOOlVl.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 576,174, dated February 2, 1897. Application filed September 16,1893. Serial No. 485,717. (No model.)

To all whom t 11ml/ emmer/.av

` Be it known that 1, WILLIAM WEAVER, a citizen of the United States, :residing in Norwalk, Fairfield county, Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to looms for weaving fabrics to be cut into strips to be used as weft in weaving a certain class of pile fabrics known as chenille fabrics; and it consists in means whereby threads of different characters or colors are automatically fed to the thread-gripper and carried across the warp.

It consists, further, in means whereby the weft-threads are automatically` sheared at iteach edge of the fabric; and, finally, it consists in such novel features of construction hereinafter more fully set` forth.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like letters and figures of reference indicate corrosponding parts, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a loom embodying the invention as an entirety. Fig. il is aside elevation of the invention. Fi 3 is an elevation of the opposite side of the machine. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the invention,taken on the line S8 88 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the mechanism for operating the thread-Shifters. Fig. 5 is a detail view, parts being broken away, showing the connection between the swords E2, the lathe E, and the arrangement of the gears 5 and 5a for driving the thread-carrier. Fig. (i is a plan view thereof. Fig. 7 is a plan view of one end of the plate for supporting the thread-shifter, the thread.- shifter being removed. Fig. 8in an inverted plan view of the thread-shifter. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view thereof. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the mechanism for operating the pattern-cylinders, the shears, and the thread-gripper. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of two of the slides for operating the thread-shifter mechanism. Fig. 12 is a detail View from the rear, showing the means for shifting the slide which carries the threadshifter. Fig. 13 is a detail view of one of the levers and its cam for effecting said movement. Fig. 1-/1 is a sectional elevation, taken on the line 13 13 of Fig. 10, of the patterncylinders and their operating mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a detail view, parts being broken away and in section, of the heddle-operating mechanism. Fig. 16 is a detail view of a section of one of the Vertical hedClle-operating levers. Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional view of the operating-cylinder for the heddle mechanism, taken on the line 89 S9 of Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the said cylinder. Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view ofthe method of manufacturing fabric, showing the preferred form of thread-shifter. Figs. 20, 21, and 22 are similar views of modified forms of thread-Shifters. Fig. 23 is a plan view of the thread-gripper detached from the lathe of the loom. Fig. 2l isa horizontal sectional View thereof. Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional View of the same, taken onL the line 90 90 of Fig. 23.

The method of operation of my invention is best indicated in the diagrammatic View, Fig. 19, in which X represents the warp-threads of the loom with a portion of the same interlocking with the weft-threads, forming a fabric.

. J J represent what I term thread-shifters, each of the same being capable of supporting a number of threads. There are preferably, although not necessarily, two of said Shifters, one on each side of the warp, and with said shifters I combine in a suitable manner lneans for moving the same, as described hereinafter. Between the Shifters and across the warp travels a thread-carrier B, provided at one end with a threadgripper 2O and at the opposite end with a similar gripper 21. Adjacent to each edge of the warp are shears or thread-cutters C. When the thread-carrier B is at one end of its travels, it grips one of the threads presented by the thread-shifter, and as it travels to the opposite side it carries said thread between the warp untilthe gripper is at its opposite position, when the cutters will shear said thread at each edge of the fabric.l rIhe 0pposite gripper then grips the thread presented by the other thread-shifter, and as the carrier moves back the second thread is thrown between the warp and then again cut, and so on, the thread-Shifters being moved from time to time so as to present a thread of the proper color or character at each operation.

It will be evident that the thread-shifters IOO may consist of a disk, as J or J', as shown in Fig. 19, which disk turns first in one direction and then in the other, or it maybe a regular segment JX, as shown in Fig. 20, or a reciprocating bar JY, as in Fig. 2l, or a series of separate radially-arranged arms J, as illustrated in Fig. 22. Each of these modified forms is provided with parts 30, adapted to 4oe engaged and actuated by the series of slides 17, hereinafter described, in the same manner in which the cross-plate 250 is actuated.

Having thus described the essential features of the operation, I will now describe the construction and arrangement of the devices which in practice have proved to be effective, reference being had to the remaining figures in the drawings.

A frame A is constructed in a suitable manner to support the thread-Shifters J J', the lathe E, the heddles F, the heddle-controlling cylinder F2, and the devices for imparting the regular movements of these and other parts of the loom.

Upon the lathe E, which extends transversely across the forward part of the loom, moves the thread-carrier B, which is operated in substantially the same manner as that described in Letters Patent Nos. 342,408 and 342,409 granted to me. This thread-carrier, as above stated, is provided at one end with thread-gripper 2O and at the opposite end with thread-gripper 21, the mechanism for automatically opening and closing which at the termination of each movement of the thread-carrier B will be presently described.

D is the reed connected to the lathe E and projecting vertically therefrom.

E2 E2 represent the swords of the lathe, (see Figs. 2 and 5,) secured at their upper ends to the under side of the lathe E and pivoted upon a transverse shaft 1 at their lower ends. On one end of the shaft 1 is a gear-wheel 2, which is engaged by a pinion 3, carried on the lower end of a vertical shaft a. This shaft is located at one side of the loom and is supported at its upper end by the lathe-sword E2 and carries a gear 5 at its upper end, which meshes with a similar gear 5 on the drivingshaft of the mechanism carried by the lathe E for driving the thread-carrier, to which power is supplied from the driving-shaft through the gear 2, pinion 3, shaft l, and gear 5. Journaled on the transverse shaft 1 is an eccentric-gear G, meshing with a similar gear 7 on a parallel shaft 8, which in turn is operated from the shaft G2 through a sprocketchainy 9. These eccentric-gears are so arranged as to throw the thread-carrier quickly through the warp-threads, but its driving mechanism is driven at a reduced rate of speed while the thread-carrier is at the terminal points of its movement. A reciprocating motion is imparted to the lathe E through the pitmen 10, connected thereto and to the cranks 110 on the shaft G'. The shafts G' and G2 are arranged below a power-shaft G and in vertical alinement therewith, and

are driven therefrom by a series of gears G3, G4, and G5, secured, respectively, to the shafts G, G', and G2.

His a slide extending across the forward part of the loom and supported in a dovetailed groove in the frame. This slide carries on each end the thread-shifters J J', and is designed to be moved, preferably, at a variable speed alternately toward the edge threads of the warp. WV hen the thread-carrier B reaches the terminal -of its movement of the lathe E, it is beyond the edges of the warps and the lathe is rocked forward, bringing the threadcarrier into horizontal alinement with the threadshifter. The gripperjaws of the thread-carrier are then opened by mechanism hereinafter described and the thread-shifter is moved rapidly into close proximity to the thread-carrier by the movement of the slide H toward the edge of the warp. When the thread-shifter is brought adjacent to the tlnead-carrier, its movement is retarded, or it may be caused to cease moving altogether until after the weft has been gripped by the grippers 2O or 21 of the thread-carrier B and the thread-carrier starts on its movement across the warp, whereupon the slide continues its movement toward the edge of the warp, which it reaches about the. same time as the thread-carrier does the opposite side, thus bringing the thread-Shifters in close proximity to the shears C, when the weftthread is out and any loss of material prevented. The slide, and consequently the thread-Shifters, is then in position to feed another thread to the thread-carrier B. The mechanism whereby the movement of this slide is effected, and shown clearly in Figs. 12 and 13, consists of two levers ll, pivoted one on each side of the loom, and to which a vertically-reciprocatin g movement is imparted alternately by cams 12, secured on the shaft G', to the ends of which levers cords 13 are connected, which pass over friction-pulleys 14 on the loom-frame and in turn are connected to a lug 15, secured to the center of the slide H.

As before indicated, it is necessary to shift the thread-Shifters or each thread-shifter when it is desired to grip a thread of different color or character from that previously woven, and l therefore combine with each threadshifter suitable means for first bringing it to proper position and then holding itinits shifted position as long as it may be necessary for the thread-carrier to grip rapidly any one particular thread. Various means for automatically shifting the position of the threadshifters will suggest themselves to skilled mechanics. The means shown consists of a primary pattern-card or belt K, passing over a primary pattern-cylinder K', in connection with a reciprocating cross-head L, Fig. 5,

IIO

thrown up it will be in position for its shoulder to be engaged by the cross-head during its forward movement. movement of the cross-headL will strike the lug 1S on the slide and push it back to its normal position. Each slide 17 is provided with a vertical arm 19, and all of these arms are in position to make contact withV a crossplate 30, which is connected with the devices for rotating the tliread-shifters J J and which I will now describe. The cross-plate 30 is connected to and depends from the end of a rack 31, (see Figs. 6 and 7,) engaging a pinion 32, which in turn engages with a cog-wheel 33 upon a shaft 34, upon which the threadshifter is journaled.

35 is a segmental groove in the lower face of the thread-shifter, (see Figs. 8 and 9,) which is engaged by apin 35a on the cog-wheel 33, forming a connection between the thread-shifter and cog-wheel 33 and insuring the rotation of the former when the cog-wheel is rotated, the groove 35 permitting the cog-wheel and its operating devices to be returned to their normal position independent of the threadshifter by means of a spring 31, connected at its opposite ends to the cross-plate 30 and to the guide 31C, respectively. The rack 31 eX- tends through this guide 31C, which surrounds it on three sides (see Figs. 6 and 7) and engages an idle pinion 32a, which serves to prevent binding or displacement of the rack-bar during its reciprocating movement.

In order to hold the thread-shifter in any position to which it is rotated, asprin g-pressed pawl 36, pivoted on the slide H, adjacent to and designed to engage ratchet-teeth 36c on the under side of the thread-shifter, is provided, this pawl being released from contact with the teeth upon the return of the threadshifter from the edge ofthe selvage by means of a centrally-pivoted tailpiece 37, a pin on one end of which normally engages the pawl 36, and its other end projecting beyond the edge of the slide H to engage a lug 3S of the frame as the slide H is reciprocated. The pawl 36 and the tailpiece are kept normally in engagement by means of a spring 37, the ends of which bear upon the said pawl and the outer end of the tailpiece, respectively. This arrangement of the tailpiece with respect to the pawl is such that when the end of the slide f upon which they are secured is moved toward the lug 3S in engagement therewith the end of the tailpiece will be moved into a recess 36n in the pawl, permitting the tailpiece to spring past the lug 3S without affecting the pawl.

' Upon the return movement of the slide, how- The next or return L cured tothe shaft 3i and to a cross-piece 40 of the threadshifter.

Secured to the under face of each threadshifter J J on each side of the thread-openings therein are vertical strips or guides 38, projecting downward from the threadshift-ers in pairs parallel with each other. These strips are separated by a space sufficiently wide to permit the opened gripper-jaws 20 21 to be thrust between them to seize the thread and serve to keep the threads from being pushed to one side of the grippers.

The manner in which each slide .17 is lifted from the 'primary pattern-belt to engage the depending cross-plate 30, and the lugs 16 and 18 lifted to be engaged by the reciprocating cross-head, is as follows, reference being had particularly to Figs. 5 and 11 of the drawings, the form er of which figures shows one of the slides thrown in its elevated position by its jack and pushed into engagement with the cross-plate 30 by the reciprocating cross-head L, while the other slide rests in its normal position. u

The slides 17 which correspondin number to the different colors or characters of threads to be used, are arranged in a guiding-frame and adjacent to each other, each slide being provided, as above described, with lugs 16 and 18 and a vertical arm 19, all of which are arranged on their upper faces. Engaging grooves in the lower faces of said slides (shown in dotted lines,` Fig. 11) are a series of pivoted jacks `22, one of which is provided for each slide and each of which has one of its ends projecting over the pattern-cylinder lli. Passing through the end of each of these jacks is a vertically-movable jack-needle 23, the lower end of which rests on the primary pattern-belt K. Each of the needles 23 is encircled by a spring 23a, which bears at its lower end upon the upper face of the jack 22 by means of a collar on said needle. and at its upper end against a frame A, the purpose of said springs 23iL beingto thrust the points of their needles through the perforation of the pattern-belt K when they are moved into alinement with the points of the needles and to simultaneously lower the forward end of that one of the jacks 22 whose needle is lowered. The primary pattern-cylinder K is thickly perforated, (see Fig. 14,) while the primary pattern-belt K is perforated in accordance with the pattern which it is desired to weave. From this it will be'seen that when one of the perforations is brought into alinement with one of the needles 23 the latter will drop through the perforation in the primary pattern belt and cylinder and cause its jack 22 to swing and elevate one of the slides 17 into the path of movement of the reciprocating cross-head L, which engages the lug 16 thereon and moves the slide forward, and consequently rotates the thread-shifter. The

cross-head L moves in slots in the sides ofthe slide-guiding frame and extends horizontally lOO IIO

across all of the slides, movement being imparted to it from a cam 24 on the shaft G2 through a series of levers 25 25C and connecting-links 25 and 25h. The lever 25 is pivoted on the shaft G and is operated by the cam 24 to throw the cross-head L, to which the link 25 is connected, forward at the proper time, the said lever 25c and link 25 being connected by the intervening link 25 and lever 25a.

As it is necessary that the length of the rotary movement of the thread-shifter, which movement is effected indirectly through the slides 17, shall differ according to the color or character of the thread to be presented to the thread-carrier B, the lengths of the movements of the slides 17 will of necessity have to differ. This is effected by graduating; the spaces between the lugs 16 and 18 on each slide so that the space between the lugs on the second slide will be a little longer than that on the first and the space between the lugs on the third slide longer than that on the second, and so on, as shown in Fig. 11. Thus it will be seen that if the first slide is capable of being moved three inches the next one will be allowed to move only two and one-half inches, the next two inches, and so on, the movement of each slide being less than the preceding one, for the reason that the lugs 16 on the slides 17 are so situated that the one on the first slide is engaged by the cross-head L sooner than that on the second, and that on the second slide sooner than that on the third. The length of movement of the crosshead L is always the same, but the movements of the slides 17 are varied by the crosshead engaging the iirst slide sooner than the second, and consequently it has to carry it a greater distance than it would the second slide, by reason of its not engaging said second slide before having completed more of its movement.

It frequently happens that the threadshifter must be successively shifted to the same position, such being the case when it is desired to successively lay weft-threads of the same character or color without changing. ln order that this may be effected without the necessity of using a large pattern-belt orother pattern devices, I make use of what I calla director or. su pplem entary pattern-belt, which has the office of bringing the threadshifter to the same position during the action of the director or supplementary pattern-belt. The said director is a belt 50, and the devices for operating the director consist of a pattern-cylinder 50, over which the patternbelt 5O`LL passes. This cylinder is journaled on a shaft 51, parallel to and arranged in the rear of that which carries the primary pattern-belt K, and is provided with an annular series of perforations formed centrally around its periphery. Arranged vertically above the pattern-cylinder 50 and in alinement with the perforations therein is a needle-bar 52. (See Figs. 5 and 10.) This bar 52 carries in its upper end a friction-roll which is engaged on its under side by a cam-shoe of the swinging :frame N for raising and lowering it alternately.

53 is a horizontally and longitudinally reciprocating slide through a slot 54, in which the said needle-bar 52 passes, said needle-bar being connected tothe said slide by means of a link 55, pivoted to both the slide and needle-bar. Through this link a reciprocating movement is imparted to the slide by the Vertical movement of the needle-bar.

The swinging 'frame N, referred to above, is pivoted at its lower end to the base of the loom and receives an oscillatory movement from a cani 71 on the shaft G2 through link 72 and lever 7 2, the latter of which is in engagement with the cam 71 and is pivoted at its lower end to the frame A and at its upper end to the link 72. This swinging frame carries on its forward end a pawl 73, designed to engage a ratchet-wheel 74E on the shaft of the primary pattern-cylinder K. This pawl when out of action or during the period when the needle-bar 52 is in an elevated position rests upon the end of the slide 53. Vhen the needle-bar is lowered by reason of a perforation in the director or pattern belt being rotated beneath its needle, the slide 53 is withdrawn from beneath the pawl 7 3, and it drops into engagement with the ratchet-wheel 7st and at the next forward movement of the swinging frame N it turns it one step, and consequently rotates the primary patterncylinder K and belt K a corresponding distance. The needle-bar is then lifted from the director pattern-belt by the action of the cam-shoe 70 thereon at the next or rear movement of the swinging frame, and the director pattern-cylinder 50 and pattern-belt 50 are moved forward one step by means of a pawl 56, carried on the swinging frame N and designed to engage a ratchet-wheel 57 on the director-shaft 5l. This pawl during the forward movement of the swinging frame is withdrawn from engagement with its ratchetwheel upon a horizontal plate 5S and, as above stated, engages the ratchet-wheel 57 only at every rearward movement of the swinging frame N. From this it will be seen that only when the needle-bar 52 descends through a perforation in the director pattern-belt is the primary pattern-belt K rotated and the color or character of the thread being fed to the thread-carrier B changed,while the directorcylinder 50 and its pattern-belt is rotated at every rearward movement of the swinging frame N. In other words, as long as the needle-bar 52 is in an elevated position the rotating mechanism of the primary patterncylinder K is non-active, and consequently the same jack-needle 23,which has been previously lowered, is caused to engage the same opening in the primary pattern-belt K and to repeat such engagement until the needlebar 52 is lowered and the rotating mechanism of the pattern-cylinder allowed to operate IOC ref

IIC

said cylinder. the needle-bar is elevated the thread-Shifters are caused to repeat the feeding of one thread during the continuance of suoli elevation of the needle-bar 52.

j As it is necessary that the needles shall he elevated from engagement with the primary pattern-belt K at each movement of the swinging frame N, a pivoted lifting-plate 26 is provided, which is lifted at each forward movement of said swinging frame by means of an arm 27 and connecting-rod 28, pivoted to said arm at one end and to the swinging frame N at the other.

The jacks 22, through which the needles 23 pass, rest on the lifting-plate whenever the needles drop into a perforation of the pattern roll, and consequently whenever the liftingplate 26 is elevated, as described above, the jack which rests upon it will be elevated and returned to its normal posit-ion.

As hereinbefore stated, the thread-carrier B is provided with grippers 20 2l at the ends thereof, one of these grippers heilig designed to open and thereby release the thread which it has just drawn across the warp, while the other one seizes the thread which has been fed into it by the threadshifter preparatory to drawing it across the warp. Any suitable means may be employed for opening and closing the grippers 2O 21 at each side of the warp, but I will now describe those which I have found to be the most effective; The mechanism whereby this is effect-ed, reference being had particularly to Figs. 23, 24, and 25 of the drawings, consists of the threadearrier B, in the shell of which the grippers 2O 21 are pivoted, each of which grippers is composed of two jaws S and S'. Springs 82, arranged in recesses in the shell of the thread-carrier B on either side of the gripper-jaws S S', serve to keep these arms in their normally-closed position. Formed in the jaws S S of the grippers at a point about midway of their ends, and in their opposing faces, are notches forming,r together circular openings 83, which taper toward their lower ends. Arranged above these openings and supported on the lower faces of overhanging plates 85, in vertical alinem ent therewith, are pins 84. These pins when forced into the openings 83 force the jaws of the grippers apart laterally in opposition to the springs 82. Secured to each of the overhanging plates 85 are arms 86, and the ends of these arms are pivoted near the ends of the thread-carrier casing, these arms passing beneath a plate 87, arranged centrallyin said thread-carrier casing, and which is designed to be depressed. From this it will be seen that when the plate 87 is de pressed the pins 84 will be forced between the gripper-jaws and force them apart, and when this pressure is removed the springs 82 will return the jaws to their normal closed position.

88, Figs. 1, 2, 3,5, 6, and 10, is anarm pivoted at its center to the frame A of the loom,

Thus it will be seen that when.

one end of which carries a friction-roll 89, designed to engage the central depressing-plate 87 of the thread-carrier B when the lathe of the loom is thrown in its forward position and the thread-carrier is at either end of its movement. The other end of this arm 88 is pivoted to a slide 89a, dependingloosely therefrom at approximately right angles. In this slide is an L-shaped slot 90, (see Fig. 10,) in the short portion of which rests a pin extending from lever 91. at one end to the frame A of the loom and has an enlargement 92 on its under side, which is engaged by a friction-roll 93 (see Figs. 2 and on the sword E2 of the lathe E to lift the slide 89L and depress that portion of the arm 88 which carries the friction-roll 89.

94 is a spring attached to the slide 8'9" for holding the pin from the lever 91 in engagement with the short portion of the L-shaped slot 90. From this it will be seen that every time the lathe E is thrown forward 0r toward the breast-beam the friction-roll 93 will engage the enlargement 92 of the lever 91 and raise said lever, which will in turn lift the slide 89 by virtue of the engagement of its end with short portion of the L-shaped slot 90. This upward movement of the slide will cause the outer end of the arm 88 to be lowered and the friction-roll 89 to bear upon the depressing-plate 87 and simultaneously open the grippers 2O 21 of the thread-carrier.

In order to release the slide 89a to permit it to drop to its normally-lowered position, it is provided on its inner edge with a beveled lug 89h, horizontally alined with a similar lug 30 on the cross-plate 30, (see Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 10,) which comes in contact with the lug 89h when the threadshifter is moved toward the edge of the warp. When these two lugs con tact, the lug 89b and its slide 89is thrown outward, which movement causes the pin of the lever 91 to be moved out of engagement with the short portion of the slot into the long or vertical portion thereof, whereupon the slide 89L will drop by gravity to its lowered position subsequently to the return of the lathe E from its forward to its rear'position. Then the lathe is moved back to its rear position, however, theend of the arm 91, which carries the pin, will be lowered, rausing the pin to register with the short portion of the L-slot, whereupon the slide is drawn inward by its spring 94, and thus the reengagement with the pin of the lever 91 is eifected preparatory to again lifting the slide 89a.

The threadcutters C C, arranged adjacent tothe edge threads of the warp, are constructed and operated as follows, reference being made particularly to Fig. 10 of the drawings:

The thread-cutters are each composed of two cuttingblades 95, pivoted together. One oi' these blades is fixed stationary to the frame of the loom, while the other is attached by means of a lever 96 to an arm '97 on one end of a shaft 98. This shaft carries on its op- This lever 91 is pivoted t IOO IIO

posite end a similar arm 99, which in turn is connected b y a link 100 to the lever 91, just.

described. lt will be seen from this description that at every upward movement of the lever 91, in consequence of the action of the friction-roll 93 thereon, the blades of the cutters C C will be forced together, severing the thread which has just been drawn across the warp from the opposite side by the threadcarrier and thrown between them by the forward movement of the lathe E.

Any of the usual heddle-operating mechanisms may be employed in connection with my improved loom. l prefer, however, to construct the heddle-operating devices in the manner in which I will now describe and which is illustrated fully by Figs. 15, 1G, 17, and 1S of the drawings.

Broadly speaking, the heddle mechanism used consists of an operating-cylinder around the periphery of which is arranged a series of friction-rolls. These friction-rolls are rotated into Contact with a series of .*ertically-disposed loi'igitudinallymovable levers correspending in number to the series of frictionrolls on the operating-cylinder, and each of which is connected to one of the heddles. These rolls push the levers inward and bring a spring-actuated clip of cach lever operated into the path of movement of a vertically-reciprocating cross-head, which engages said clip and throws the lever downward and raises the heddles. The return or upward movement of the cross-head has the office of returning the heddles to their norm al position.

F2 represents the operating-cylinder having an annular series ot' friction-rolls g arranged around its periphery, said annular series being also arranged parallel to each other, one annular series for each heddle. A step-bystep rotary movement is imparted to this cylinder from a cam g' on the driving-shaft G2 by means of a short lever 7a2, pivoted to the frame A and connected to be reciprocated vertically by said cam. To the free end of this lever a bar g2 is connected, which eX- tends vertically upward and is in turn connected to an angle-bar 7c3, centrally pivoted upon the shaft of the cylinder F2 and carrying a pawl giithereonvhich engages a ratchetwheel 7c* upon the said shaft. Thus whenever the lever 7a2 is lowered by the cam g the bar g2 is correspondingly moved thereby, causing the pivoted angle-bar k3 and its pawl g5 to be rocked and the ratchet-wheel 7a4 and the cylinder F2 to be rotated one step. Arranged vertically and adjacent to the operating-cylinder, one for each series of frictionrolls g, are levers g4, passing through guides at their lower ends and connected to horizontal pivoted levers g5 at their upper ends. These horizontal levers are each connected to the top of one of the heddle-frames g, the lower sides of these frames being attached alternately to the opposite ends of cords 97, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3,) passing` around pulleys gs, secured to opposite ends of cords gw, which pass around rollers Q12 on the under side of and extending transversely across the base of the loom. One end of each of the cords g7 (there being one on each side of the loom for each two heddle-frames used) is secured to the lower side of one of the heddle-frames, while its other end is secured to the lower side of the next succeeding heddle-frame, as is usual, in order that when one of the heddleframes is elevated by the action of its operating mechanism the next succeeding one will be depressed. Reciprocating vertically in a slot h in one of the loom side frames is a crosshead h2, connected to a rod h3, which is operated at its lower end by a cam h4 on the shaft G2. The upper end of the rod h3 is broadened at 72,5 (see Fig. 3) and bears upon the under side of the horizontal levers g5, the purpose of which will presently appear. Pivoted in a recess in each lever g4 and projecting from the inner face thereof are spring-pressed clips t'.

From the above-described mechanism it will appear that when one of the frictionrolls g of the operating-cylinder is rotated into contact with its lever g4 it will push it inward and throw the clip i thereon into the path of movement of the cross-head he, which will tend to carry the lever downward and through the horizontal levers g5 lift one of the heddle-frames, or as many of them as there are levers engaged by the cross-head. Vhen the cross-head starts on its return or upward movement, the plate h5 of the rod h3, engaging the horizontal levers g5, will return them to their normal position. In order to insure the return of these levers g5 and to equalize the strain they impose upon their operating-rods g4, a linkj is pivoted to the rod h3 and to lever ji. This lever 7'2 is pivoted centrally7` to the frame of the loom and its free end engages one end of a pivoted lever jg, the other end of which bears against the under side of the lever g5. Thus arranged, whenever the plate h5 is lowered by the downward movement of the cross-head h2 the lever j3 is caused to be correspondingly elevated and to be lowered when said plate is elevated. This action holds the lever t7'3 always in contact with the forward ends of the levers g5 and prevents them from dropping below their normal position and also relieves 4the strain in some measure from the lever g4.

I have shown what I believe to be the best means, all things considered, of weaving chenille filling strips or fabrics by wholly automatic means, thus avoiding the employment of alarge number of drop-boxes, which would be necessary, if a great number of colors are used, or of shift-ing the colors by hand.

The advantages of the several parts of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and within the scope of my invention, as defined in the following claims,modifications may be made IOC IXO

IZO

in the form, construction, and position of the parts and some features of my invention used without the others, since What I claim isl. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters, mechanism for shifting the same to canse a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, means for moving the thread shifter or shifters bodily toward the edge of the warp, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating the thread-carrier across the warp, substantially as described.

2. In a loom, the combination of the threadshi f ters arran ged on e on each side of the warp,

mechanism for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the threadcarrier means for moving said thread-Shifters bodily alternately toward the edge of the warp, and a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating the thread carrier across the warp, substantially as described.

The combination in a loom of one or more thread-shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to presenta proper thread to the threadcarrier, means for moving said thread shifter or shifters bodily at a variable speed toward the edge of the Warp, a thread-carrier, and means to reciprocate the thread-carrier across the warp, substantially as described.

4. In aloom, the combination of thethreadshifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the threadcarrier, devices for supporting the threadshift-ers, means for reciprocating said supporting devices, whereby the thread-Shifters are brought bodily to the edge of the warp alternately, a thread-carrier, and means for reciprocating it across the warp,substantially as described.

5. The combination in a loom, of a slide` the thread-shifters supported thereon, one on each end thereof, means for moving said slide to bring the thread-Shifters bodily tothe edges of the Warp alternately, and a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating the thread-carrier across the warp, substantially as de` scribed.

6. The combination in a loom, of a slide, the thread-Shifters supported one on each end thereof, the cams and their shaft, mechanism connecting said cams and slide,whereby the latter is caused to reciprocate to bring the thread-Shifters bodily to the edges of the warp alternately` anda thread-carrier and means for reciprocating the thread-carrier across the warp, substantially as described.

7. Aloom provided with one or more thread- Shifters arranged` one on each side of the warp, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating the same across the warp, a perforated primary pattern-belt, a perforated cylinder upon Which said belt is supported, intermediate mechanism between the thread- Shifters and the primary pattern -belt for shifting the thread-Shifters to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, a secondary or director pattern-belt, a cylinder upon which said belt is supported, devices between said secondary and primary patternbelts whereby the movement of the latter isd controlled by the former, substantially as described.

S. A loom,provided with one or more thread- Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, primary pattern devices means for imparting movement to the primary pattern devices, mechanism intermediate of the thread- Shifters and the primary pattern devices, pattern-controlled devices adjacent to the primary pattern devices for throwing the same out of movement to cause a thread of one color or character to be repeatedly fed to the thread-carrier and for throwing them into movement to cause a thread of a different color or character to be fed to the thread-carrier, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating the saine across the warp, substantially 4as described.

9. In a loom, the combination of the cutters arranged upon each side thereof adjacent to the edge threads of the warps, thread-shifters arranged one on each side of the warp,a threadcarrier, means for reciprocating it across the Warps, and devices for moving the thread- Shifters alternately to the edges of the warps,

simultaneously with the movement of the thread-carrier toward the opposite side thereof and for maintaining them in said position until the thread-carrier start-s on its return movement, substantially as described.

l0. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-shifters, a series of independently -movable slides, devices between the slides and thread-shifters adapted to be acted upon by any one of said series of slides, mechanism for moving said slides to cause the thread-Shifters to be shifted, pattern devices, and devices intermediate of the pattern devices and slides whereby the latter are thrown into engagement with their moving mechanism, substantially a-s described.

ll. A loom provided with one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp and each supporting a series of threads of different colors or characters, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, a primary pattern-belt provided With parallel series of perforations, a series of needles for engaging the perforations of the primary pattern-belt, devices between the needles and thread-Shifters, a secondary or director pattern-belt, a needle-bar for engaging said belt, means for moving said needle-bar int-o and withdrawing it from engagement with the director pattern-belt and devices intermediate of the needle-bar and primary pattern-belt whereby the movement of the latter is controlled by that of the former, substantially as described.

l2. A loom provided with one 0r more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of IOO IIO

the warp and each supporting a series of threads of different colors or characters, pattern devices, mechanism intermediate of the thread-shifters and the pattern devices adapted to be operated by the said pattern devices and to be operated independently thereof, means for operating said mechanism independently of the pattern devices to shift the thread-shifters, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

13. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-shifters arranged one on each side of the warps, mechanism for shifting the thread-Shifters to present a proper thread to the thread-carrier, a primary pattern-belt, a series of needles for engaging said belt, devices for elevating said needles out of en gagement with said pattern-belt, mechanism intermediate of said needles and thread-shifter for shifting the latter, secondary or director pattern devices for regulating the movement of the primary pattern-belt, devices between the primary pattern devices and secondary pattern devices, and a thread -carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

14. In a loom, provided with one or more thread-Shifters, a series of slides, mechanism between the slides and thread-Shifters for shifting the lat-ter to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, a primary pattern-belt, devices between the slides and pattern-belt for operating said slides, and director pattern devices for regulating the movement of said primary pattern-belt, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

15. A loom, provided with one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp and each supporting a series of threads of different colors or characters, primary pattern devices, mechanism intermediate of the thread-Shifters and primary pattern devices, said mechanism adapted to be operated by said pat-tern devices and to be operated independently thereof, means for operating said intermediate mechanism independently of the primary pattern devices to shift the thread-Shifters, director or secondary pattern devices, devices between the secondary and primary pattern devices whereby the movement of the latter is controlled by that of the former, athread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

16. In aloom,the combination of the threadshifters arranged one on each side of the warps, means for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the threadcarrier, mechanism for moving the thread- Shifters bodily to the edge of the warps, cutters arranged on each side of the warp, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp. p

17. In a loom,the combination of the thread- Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp,

means for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, mechanism for moving the thread-Shifters when-in their shifted position bodily to the edge of the warp, means for returning the thread-shifters from their shifted to their initial positions, cutters on each side of the warp, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described. 18. In a loom,the combination of the threadshifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the threadcarrier, means for moving said thread-shifters alternately bodily toward the edge of the warp, cutters arranged one on each side of the warp, means for alternately operating said cutters, atlnead-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

19. In a loom,the combination ofthe thread- Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the threadcarrier, means for moving the thread-shifters toward the edge of the warp, cutters arranged on each side of the warp, a lathe and mechanism for reciprocating it toward the cutters, a thread-carrier carried upon the lathe, and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

20. A loom provided with one or more thread-shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, guides on the thread-Shifters eX- tending upon each side of the thread for preventing the deflection thereof, a thread-carrier having grippers adapted to be thrust between said guides to grip the thread, and means for reciprocating the thread-carrier across the warp, substantially as described.

21. In a loom,the combination of the threadcarrier, the gripper-jaws thereon which normally rest together, a depressing-plate also carried upon the thread-carrier and connections between the depressing-plate and gripper-jaws whereby said jaws are forced apart when the depressing-plate is depressed, and means for depressing said plate as the threadcarrier reaches a terminal of its movement, substantially as described.

22. In a loom, provided with one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, guides on the thread-Shifters extending upon each side of the thread for preventing the deflection of the thread to insure its being gripped by the grippers of the thread-carrier, a thread-carrier having grippers adapted to be thrust between said guides to grip the thread, means for opening and closing the grippers and means for reciprocating the thread carrier across the Warp, substantially as described.

23. A loom, provided with one or more thread-Shifters, a cross-plate and devices between thc cross-plate and thread-Shifters, a

v substantially as described.

57e, 1ra Y o series of independently-movable slides, cach provided with a vertical arm for engaging said cross-plate, and withva lug, a reciprocating cross-head for engaging' said lugs, means for reciprocating said cross-head, and pattern controlled mechanism for lifting said slides into position to be engaged by the said cross-head, substantially as described.

24. Ina loom,the combination of the thread- Shifters, arranged one on each side of the warp, a cross-plate, devices for connecting the cross-plate with the thread-Shifters, pattern devices, a series of independently-movable slides adapted to en gage the cross-plate, a reciprocating cross -head and means for moving the same, and a series of jacks and needles engaging the slides and pattern-belt of the pattern devices respectively, substantially as described.

25. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters, arranged one on each side of the warp, a series of slides capable of independent vertical and horizontal movement, and mechanism between the slides and thread-shifters for moving the latter by the horizontal movement of the former, a pattern-belt, devices betweenthe slides and pattern-belt for elevating the slides, and mechanism for imparting a horizontal Vmovement thereto, substantially as described.

26. A loom, provided with one or more thread-Shifters, arranged one on each side ot' the warp, pattern devices, mechanism between the pattern devices and thread-shifter for shifting the latter, and devices independent of the shifting mechanism of the thread- Shifters for returning said thread-shifters from their shifted to their normal position,

27. In a loom, providedwith one or more thread-Shifters, a series of independentlymovable slides arranged below the same, de-

vices between the slides and thread-shifter i for shifting the latter, pattern devices, a crosshead and means. for reciprocating the same, and mechanism between the pattern devices and slides for lifting said slides into the path of movement of the cross-head, substantially as described.

28. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, a series of independentlymovable slides, a cross-plate adapted to be acted uponby any one of said series of slides, devices between the cross-plate and threadshifters, a reciprocating cross-head adapted to move said slides, means for reciprocating said cross-head and pattern devices for throwing the slides into `engagement with the reciprocating cross-head, substantially as described.

29. In aloom,the combination of the thread- Shifters, arranged one on each side of the 'warp, the cross-plate, and devices between the cross-plate and thread-Shifters, a series of slides capable of vertical and horizontal movement, mechanism for moving said slides vertically, a reciprocating cross-head .tor moving said slides horizontally, and means for reciprocating said cross-head, substantially as described.

30. A loom provided with a thread-shifter, a series of slides, each slide being capable of vertical and horizontal movement independent of the others, only one of the slides being movable at the same time, devices intermediate the thread-shifter'and said slides adapted to be engaged bythe latter to actuate the thread-shifter, and mechanism for moving said slides vertically and horizontally, substantially as described.

31. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the thread-Shifters to cause a proper thread to be presented to the vthread-carrier, means for locking the thread-Shifters in their shifted positions for a predetermined time, and for' releasing them at the end of such period, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the Warp, substantially as described.

In a loom,the combination ofthe thread- Shifters, arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, means for locking the thread- Shifters in their shifted position for a predetermined time and for releasing them at the end of such period, cutters arranged on each side of the Warp, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

33. In aloonnthe combination ofthe thread- Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the same to canse a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, means for locking the threadshifters in their shifted position for a predetermined time and means for releasing them at the end of such period, devices for moving the thread-Shifters to the edge of the warp, cutters arranged on each side of the warp, a th read-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

34. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters, a perforated primary pattern-belt, a plurality of needles, means for throwing said needles into engagement with the perforations of said belt, devices for elevating said needles above the primary pattern-belt at regular intervals, mechanism between the needles and the thread-Shifters, director pattern devices adapted to control the movement of the primary pattern-belt whereby the shifting mechanism of the thread-shifter is caused to continue shifting the thread-Shifters to one position in order that a thread of one color or character may be repeatedly fed to the thread-carrier, and to throw the primary pattern-belt into movement when it is desired to change the color or character of the thread, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the Warp, substantially as described.

35. In a loom, the combination of one or more rotary reciprocating thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting said thread shifter or shifters to cause a proper thread to be presented to the tlnead-carrier, the springs for returning said thread-Shifters from their shifted to their normal positions, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

S6. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one 'on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the thread shifter or shifters to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, means `for locking the thread-Shifters for a predetermined time when the desired thread has been brought in position to be gripped by the thread-carrier and for retaining the thread-Shifters in their shifted position until the thread-carrier has traveled to the opposite side of the warp, a thread-carrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

S7. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, mechanism for shifting the thread-Shifters to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, means for locking the thread-Shifters when the desired thread has been brought in position to be gripped by the thread-carrier and for retaining the thread-Shifters in their shifted position while the thread-carrier is traveling to the opposite side of the warp, devices for releasing' the thread-Shifters at the end of such period, means for returning` them from their shifted to their normal position,a threadcarrier an d means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

38. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, a series of independentlymovable slides, provided with the lugs 16 and 18, devices between the slides and thread- Shifters adapted to be acted upon by any one of said series of slides, mechanism adapted to engage the lugs of the slides to reciprocate the same, and pattern-controlled mechanism for throwing said slides into position for the lugs thereof to be engaged by their reciprocating mechanism, su bstantiallyas described.

30. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, each provided at its under side with teeth, means for shifting the threadshifters to cause a proper thread to be presented to the thread-carrier, a spring-pressed pawl for engaging the teeth of the threadshifter to hold it against rearward movement, devices for releasing said pawl from engagement with the teeth of the thread-shifter at a predetermined time, means for returning the thread-shifter to its normal position, a threadcarrier and means for reciprocating it across the warp, substantially as described.

40. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the Warp, primary pattern devices, secondary pattern devices, intermediate mechanism between the thread-Shifters and primary pattern devices a needle-bar for engaging said secondary pattern devices, means for reciprocating said needle-bar, and devices between the needle-bar and primary pattern devices whereby the operation of the primary pattern device is controlled, substantially as described.

eil. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, a primary pattern-belt, provided with a parallel series of perforations, mechanism between the primary pattern-belt and thread-Shifters, a director pattern-belt, provided with a single series of perforations, a needle-bar for engaging the director pattern-belt, means for reciprocating said needlebar, and intermediate devices between the said needle-bar and primary pattern-belt whereby the movement of the latter is controlled by the former, substantially as described.

42. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-Shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, a series of independentlymovable slides provided with lugs 16 and I8 the lugs on each slide being of different relative distances apart, devices between the slides and thread-Shifters adapted to be acted upon by any one of said series of slides, mechanism adapted to engage the lugs of the slides to reciprocate the same, and pattern-controlled mechanism for throwing said slides into position for the lugs thereof to be cngaged by their reciprocating mechanism substantially as described.

43. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, a perforated primary pattern-belt, a plurality of needles adapted to engage the perforations of the primary pattern-belt, means for moving said needles into engagement with the perforations of the primary pattern-belt, devices for elevating said needles above the primary pattern-belt at regnlar intervals, means for imparting a step-bystep progressive movement to the primary pattern-belt, intermediate mechanism between the needles and the thread-Shifters, a director pattern-belt and means for imparting a continuous step-by-step progressive movement thereto, and devices under the control of the director pattern-belt whereby the progressive movement of the primary patternbelt may be arrested or continued as desired, substantially as described.

44E. In a loom, the combination of one or more thread-shifters arranged one on each side of the warp, primary pattern devices for controlling the movement thereof, devices intermediate of the thread-Shifters and primary pattern devices, a director pattern-belt, the swinging frame N carrying the pawls 7 3 and 56, means forswinging said frame,the ratchet- IOO IIO

IZO 

